This low mileage fuel-injected 220 SE Cabriolet presents in exceptional condition throughout as a particularly authentic example of the W128 Mercedes-Benz model. As originally delivered, the car is outfitted in DB 040 black over a superbly kept, very original 1079 red leather interior with beautiful Rosewood dash and door trim. A striking and rare German luxury convertible in exceptional condition throughout, one which has spent its life entire life in Southern California until 2007 and has had only 3 private owners in total. Comes with original books, data cards, tools, jack and three-piece luggage set.
Highlights
- Chassis no. 128.030-10-003539
- Engine no. 127.983-10-000925
- Concours condition throughout
- Low mileage and highly original
- USA delivery example
- Only 3 owners from new
- Matching numbers
- Original colors
- DB 040 black paint
- 1079 red leather interior
- 872 black soft top
- Rosewood dash
- Becker Europa radio
- Three-piece fitted luggage
- M127 inline-six engine
- Bosch Einspritz fuel-injection
- 4-speed manual transmission
- 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
- Original books and data cards
- Original tool roll
- Original jack and spare tire
- 12,328 miles
220 SE Cabriolet History
The 220 SE Cabriolet, with its easily retractable convertible soft top, is the most desirable of the three body styles built on the W128 chassis. In 1958, the 220 “Ponton” range of Mercedes-Benz was upgraded in limited numbers with a fuel-injected (Einspritzmotor) version of the 2.2-litre overhead-camshaft six cylinder engine. Maximum power of the SE model was increased beyond that of the more numerously produced and carbureted 220 S examples that came before it giving a noticeable improvement in acceleration that dropped the 0-100km/h speed by a full two seconds. The one-piece chassis and body (unibody), designed with collapsible components for safety in collisions, has a single clean styling trim-line from the headlamp along the front fender across the door panel that ends at the taillight at the end of the rear fender. These final Ponton SE’s were equipped with four wheel hydraulic drum brakes and were engineered with high end luxury buyers in mind, having been produced to precise standards for every day use if required.
While in Dr. Lutfy’s ownership, this 220SE Cabriolet has undergone consistent maintenance and has been the beneficiary of climate controlled dry collection storage through to today. Of note, the original leather of the front seats speak to the believed to be original 12,328 miles on the odometer with minimal wear throughout, still remaining in supple condition for regular use. The front seats, door panel leather and arm rests in the rear seating area all remain original and are still in excellent condition adding a particularly pleasing sense of history to the experience of driving the car. The rear seating compartment leather has been restored while the armrests and side panel leather remains in beautiful original condition. The wood dash has been expertly redone under the Dr. Lutfy ownership by Madera Concepts of Santa Barbara, Ca and a new leather boot cover has been made to cover the convertible soft top while the top is down. The original boot cover comes with the car and is perfect for use at events as a display of the car’s unusual preservation qualities. In furtherance to the luxury afforded by this 220SE convertible, it also comes appropriately fitted with a three-piece set of tan fitted luggage for the trunk space.
In addition to the superb condition of the exterior and interior, the engine bay and underside are equally impressive. The engine bay has seen light restoration work of the painted surfaces over impressively well kept originality. Further to the car’s low mileage, the engine itself shows signs of having never been taken apart with correct original hardware throughout. The underside of this 12,000 mile 220SE Cabriolet is as original and well kept as you’re likely to find on any example in the world. All original hardware is present as is original paint on nearly all the surfaces with original yellow and red witness marks applied by factory inspectors present at every turn. Original factory paint drip marks are clearly visible on the flat surfaces while the car retains its original muffler components as well as original Bilstein shock absorbers.
Today, this rare, fuel-injected 220 SE Cabriolet presents extraordinarily well in its stunning black-on-red factory original color combination. The treatment and attention this Mercedes has seen since new is apparent at every turn as tribute to one of the three-pointed-star’s most elegant classic models. This beautiful 3 owner classic comes with all original books, both original factory data cards, original tools, fitted luggage, rare front seat headrests, original leather tonneau cover, MB tire pressure gauge, original jack and spare tire. A largely original, concours quality Mercedes-Benz event and show car in a stunning original color combination.
